Device for indicating the quantity of a liquid in a reservoir and reservoir provded with such a device

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for indicating the temporally variable quantity of a liquid contained in a reservoir or tank, whatever the indication of this reservoir with respect to the horizontal, wherein the device comprises an auxiliary recipient fast with the reservoir, which is arranged therewith in an at least partially enveloping arrangement and which contains an invariable quantity of an auxiliary liquid of which the level serves as reference for assessing, by comparison of level, the variable quantity of liquid contained at a given instant in the reservoir. The invention is more particularly applicable to the determination of the level of fuel in a tank connected to a vehicle, of the oil in a gearbox of a vehicle, etc.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a device for indicating the quantity of a liquid contained in a reservoir or tank, whatever the inclination of this reservoir with respect to the horizontal, comprising an auxiliary recipient which is fast with said reservoir and which contains an invariable quantity of an auxiliary liquid of which the level serves as reference for assessing the quantity of liquid contained at a given instant in said reservoir, the liquid in the reservior is encircled at least partially by said auxiliary recipient; and the reference level of the auxiliary liquid and the instantaneous level of the liquid in the reservior are visible at least at adjacent spots, thus forming a level indicator. 
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is of a double wall type and said auxiliary recipient is formed by a space included between the double walls of said reservoir.   
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1, for a reservoir likely to tip essentially about a principal horizontal direction, wherein said auxiliary recipient is constituted by a tube presenting the at least approximate form of a U and of which a plane defined by the U is vertical and at least substantially transverse to said horizontal direction of tipping. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary recipient forms a closed enclosure.   
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1, wherein said reading apparatus comprises a float disposed in said auxiliary recipient and said float is guided by said auxiliary recipient in its movements consecutive to variations in inclination of the reservoir.   
     
     
       6. The device of claim 1, wherein it comprises at least two reading apparatus at different spots in said reservoir.   
     
     
       7. A reservoir or tank adapted to contain a liquid whose quantity may vary in time, wherein it comprises a device as specified in claim 1.   
     
     
       8. The reservoir of claim 7, comprising a device wherein said tubular auxiliary recipient is fast with the walls of said reservoir and said reservor comprises a tranparent window showing the level of liquid in the reservoir and the level of liquid in said tubular auxiliary recipient which, to that end, is transparent, at least opposite said window.